Nick Reiner Charged With Murdering His Parents, Rob and Michele Reiner
Los Angeles prosecutors have charged Nick Reiner, 32, with two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, who were found dead Sunday at their home in Brentwood, a wealthy neighborhood on Los Angeles’ Westside. Authorities say the couple suffered multiple stab wounds, and the district attorney’s office alleged the killings occurred in the early morning hours of December 14.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the case includes a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders and a special allegation that the suspect used “a dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife.” Hochman said Reiner could face life without parole or the death penalty if convicted, though “no decision” has been made on whether prosecutors will seek capital punishment. California currently has a gubernatorial moratorium on executions, which would block an execution even if a death sentence were imposed.
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Reiner remains in custody and is being held without bail. Hochman said he will be brought to court to enter a plea after he is medically cleared. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell called the case “heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for the entire city,” adding, “We extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.”
The killings also sparked a political backlash after President Donald Trump posted about the deaths online, writing, “He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump,” and blaming what he called “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.” Republican Rep. Thomas Massie responded, “Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “We have to appeal to our better angels.”
Rob Reiner was a defining figure in American film and television for decades. He first gained national recognition as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on All in the Family, one of television’s most influential sitcoms, before going on to direct a wide range of iconic films, including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men.
